Well we still have to qualify....
17.11.2025 10:03 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0@conor-oneill.bsky.social
Data and Tactics writer for The Athletic
Well we still have to qualify....
17.11.2025 10:03 β π 1 π 0 π¬ 1 π 0If the Republic of Ireland's defeat to Armenia was unthinkable, then defeating Portugal 2-0 and coming from behind to beat Hungary 3-2 and snatch a World Cup play-off place stretched reality to breaking point.
@conor-oneill.bsky.social on one of the most dramatic weeks in Irish footballing history.
Managed to tear myself away from the Parrott goal on infinite loop long enough to write about Irelandβs madcap week.
A remarkable resurrection.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/681...
Plugged out of the football matrix during my hols this week, but wrote a piece on managerial sackings.
Ranked sackings based on how deserved they were, measured the new manager bounce, and showed why their employment is most shaky on Mondays in December
www.nytimes.com/athletic/668...
Lots of cautionary tales of Irish youngsters failing to make the grade in England, but it really is hard to manage expectations with Mason Melia.
Profiled the Tottenham-bound St Pat's striker, easily the best young talent I have ever seen in LOI
www.nytimes.com/athletic/670...
Thanks very much John!
24.09.2025 13:08 β π 2 π 0 π¬ 0 π 0Maiden bluesky post!
I analysed shot-blocking in the Premier League. Looked at:
- Arsenal/Liverpoolβs contrasting approach to defending long-range efforts
- Why Man Utd struggle inside the box
- The PL leading the way in old-school, bodies-on-the-line defending
www.nytimes.com/athletic/664...